Which Sander

[Eagles21]

Hi all. I would like your advice/ opinions as to which sander to purchase.
I often make MDF based items of furniture of various sizes and need to take off the sharp edges of the MDF ready for painting and to make more tactile.
I already own a ro150  which is too large and would like something much more manageable
Thanks in advance

 

[Bob Marino]

Well, without knowing what other applications besides the MDF edging you will be doing or what country you reside in, the simple answer I guess would be either ETS 125, DTS 400 or rts 400. Much smaller and lighter than the RO 150.

 

[oldie]

For your stated purpose, wouldn’t use a power sander just to take sharp edges off. 
How about by hand? 
As MDF – might want to use dust extraction. 
Want Festool?  Google “Festool Sanding Blocks
Or, one of those soft spongy sanding blocks – say 120/150/180 grit – you’ll quickly find out what’s best for you. 

Richard (UK) 

 

[Shane Holland]

To echo Bob's advice, I think the DTS 400 is a great complement to the RO 150 or other round pad sanders.

 

[ajmdecorators]

Rts 400 mate all day

 

[Holmz]

For your stated purpose, wouldn’t use a power sander just to take sharp edges off. 
How about by hand? 
As MDF – might want to use dust extraction. 
Want Festool?  Google “Festool Sanding Blocks”
Or, one of those soft spongy sanding blocks – say 120/150/180 grit – you’ll quickly find out what’s best for you. 

Richard (UK)

[member=9980]fuzzy logic[/member] hand work recommendation seems to be more controllable than spending a few hundred GBP on a power sander for knocking an edge off.

If I was sanding the middle of a sheet, then a 1/2-sheet makes sense. But the MDF is usually pretty smooth.

 

[Eagles21]

Thanks for the replies.
I do have the hand sanding block HSK 80x130 which is great for control but I end up sweating buckets when I've got quite a few panels etc to sand the edges of.
Looking at some of your comments maybe the RTS400 would suit as I assume it has the same pad size as the HSK block?

 

[oldie]

Didn’t realise had that much to do… 
Speculatively, throwing another couple of thoughts. 

Whilst agree that the RTS400 perhaps a better ‘fit’ for the job – wonder if the DTS400 would be acceptable to you; think that a much more versatile sander to have around the shop. 

As going to paint, perhaps get away with using a router + carbide tipped cutter.  Then a quick, non-sweaty, swipe to provide bit of a key for the paint. 

(Join a gym  [unsure]?) 

Be great to know how you get on. 
Richard (UK) 

 

[Knight Woodworks]

If all you want to do is ease the edges, then a small router/trimer (preferably one with dust extraction) and a round over bit is the way to go.

John